With fire in their eyes, the Kentucky State University women's basketball team turned in possibly their best quarter of the season in posting the 71-64 non-conference victory over McKendree University Saturday at the William Exum Center.

The Thorobreds limited their visitors to just seven points in the third quarter on a paltry 3-of-18 (16.7 percent) shooting, and turned an six-point halftime deficit into a six-point lead heading into the final period. Kentucky State went on a 15-0 run that spanned a seven-minute stretch of the third quarter. Ten of the 15 points came via the fast-break points, and six of the 15 came via MU turnovers, as the Thorobreds looked to get out in transition.

Additionally, four different KSU players found the box score during the run.

A three-pointer from senior Tara Jefferson (Milwaukee, WI) sparked an 11-2 run at the beginning of the fourth quarter to give Kentucky State its first double-digit lead of the game as the cushion ballooned to 13 points.

With McKendree trying to get back into the game by sending the 'Breds to the free throw line, Kentucky State shot 8-of-12 from the charity stripe to seal the victory. Junior Amani Williams (Scotch Plains, NJ) was the primary benefactor of the intentional fouling and converted 4-of-6 for KSU.

McKendree scored the first seven points of the game  before KSU settled in, but before you knew it, Jefferson was converting a three-point play that brought the game to a 10-all tie. The Bearcats responded with an 18-6 spurt that spanned the end of the first and beginning of the second quarter to claim a game-high 12 point advantage.

Undeterred, the Thorobreds chipped away at their double figure deficit, and trailed by just six at the break.

Williams tallied a career-high 18 points with three assists as four Kentucky State players reached double figures. Jefferson came off the bench for a season-high 16 points and six boards.

Junior Kiante Butts (Memphis, TN) narrowly missed her second straight double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds, while sophomore Erica Jones (South Haven, MS) added 11 points and three boards.

Kentucky State (5-5 overall) returns to action 11 a.m. December 13 for an exhibition game against Wright State University at the Nutter Center.